Mains-operated device for curing by light a polymerizable dental material

Abstract

A mains-operated device for curing by light polymerizable dental material has a housing with a light guide and a cooling fan. A halogen light source, including a reflector and a spiral-wound filament, is positioned in the housing and emits light through the light guide. A control device is connected to the light source. The reflector is positioned at an end of the filament remote from the light guide. The reflector is transmissive for infrared radiation. The reflector is positioned in the cooling air flow of the fan. The control device supplies the filament with a voltage of 100 V to 240 V. The filament provides luminance of more than 750 cd.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A mains-operated device for curing by light a polymerizable dental material, said device comprising: a housing having a light guide and a cooling fan;   a halogen light source, comprising a reflector and a spiral-wound filament, positioned in said housing and emitting light through said light guide;   a control devise connected to said light source;   said reflector positioned at an end of said filament remote from said light guide;   said reflector transmissive for infrared radiation;   said reflector positioned in a cooling air flow of said fan;   said control device supplying said filament with a voltage of 100 to 240 V;   said filament providing a luminance of more than 750 cd.   
     
     
       2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said filament provides a luminance of more than 4000 cd. 
     
     
       3. A device according to claim 1, wherein said control device is without transformer and has a thyristor or a triac for providing a phase-controlled increasing supply voltage upon switching on said light source. 
     
     
       4. A device according to claim 1, wherein said control device comprises a push button for alternatingly switching on and off said device. 
     
     
       5. A device according to claim 1, wherein said device is a hand-held apparatus having a pistol shape including a grip, said device further comprising a cable with a plug for connecting said device to an outlet of an electric mains, wherein said cable is connected to a lower end of said grip. 
     
     
       6. A device according to claim 1, wherein said control device is enclosed in said housing and wherein a dental material is contained in said housing, said device comprising a cable with a plug extending from said housing for connecting without transformer said device to an outlet of an electric mains. 
     
     
       7. A device according to claim 1, wherein said light source is a high-voltage incandescent light bulb and has a plug-in contact received in a receiving socket of said housing. 
     
     
       8. A device according to claim 1, wherein said light source is a high-voltage incandescent light bulb having a socket with an outer thread received in a receiving socket of said housing. 
     
     
       9. A device according to claim 1, wherein said filament is a double coil extending in the coiled state over a length of at least 2 cm, said filament being bent twice in close vicinity of an optical axis of said reflector. 
     
     
       10. A device according to claim 9, wherein said filament is V-shaped in a sideview. 
     
     
       11. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a cable with a plug extending from said housing for connecting without transformer said device to an outlet of an electric mains, wherein said housing consists of plastic material and has an inner wall coated with a metal coating, wherein said metal coating is connected to a ground of said cable. 
     
     
       12. A device according to claim 1, wherein said housing has a protective coating against electric and/or electromagnetic radiation. 
     
     
       13. A device according to claim 12, wherein said protective coating consists of Mu-metal. 
     
     
       14. A device according to claim 1, wherein said housing comprises an electrically insulating material having a voltage resistance that is a multiple of the mains voltage. 
     
     
       15. A device according to claim 14, wherein said electrically insulating material is plastic and wherein said voltage resistance is ten times said mains voltage. 
     
     
       16. A device according to claim 1, wherein said device has an additional insulating inner housing covering a receiving socket for said light source and voltage conducting parts of said device.